Drug Enforcement Administration

Overdose Of Shelton Resident Leads To Heroin Distribution Charges Against New Haven Man

MAY 17 - NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Michael J. Ferguson Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England and Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that Corey Senior, 26, of New Haven, was arrested yesterday on a federal criminal complaint charging him with heroin distribution offenses. Senior appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah A.L. Merriam in New Haven and was ordered detained pending a detention hearing currently scheduled for May 19 at 9:30 a.m.

As alleged in court documents, on April 27, 2017, the Shelton Police Department and emergency medical services responded to a Shelton residence after a report of a suspected drug overdose of a 34-year-old female. The victim was pronounced deceased. At the scene, officers seized drug and non-drug evidence, including bags that appeared to have contained heroin and a hypodermic needle. Investigators also seized the victim’s cellphone.

It is further alleged that on April 28, 2017, the victim’s cellphone received a text from Senior and an officer posing as the victim arranged to purchase heroin from Senior. Senior was arrested by the Shelton Police later that day after he arrived at the victim’s residence in possession of suspected heroin. The investigation revealed that Senior had provided heroin to the victim shortly before the victim’s death. The federal complaint charges Senior with possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of heroin, and conspiracy to distribute narcotics. Both offenses carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and the Shelton Police Department. The Tactical Diversion Squad includes participants from the New Haven, Hamden, Greenwich, Shelton, Bristol, Vernon, Wilton, Milford, Monroe, Fairfield and Manchester Police Departments, and the Connecticut State Police.